Today we’d like to introduce you to Lilyan Cole.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Lilyan. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I guess my mom knew I was destined for the industry early on when a lady at a boutique asked if I could model an Easter dress in a commercial at only a year and half old. Because later, I went on to model in 11 fashion weeks from Los Angeles to New York & landed a tv show Making A Model with Yolanda Hadid in my teen years. But let me back up a bit. This all didn’t happen out of thin air it has taken lots of hard work and dedication. I started acting in plays & dancing at the age of 3 & at 12, I went to LA with my mom who was taking actors to get agents & I asked my mom if she could help me get one as well. So really, since I was 12, I have hit the ground running. I auditioned and signed with my first talent agent, then was cast in my first runway show and then a small film & one thing lead to the next.
When I was 13, I started social media, as well as my mom to start networking in a different way. I started Facebook and Instagram and later launched a YouTube channel. A producer contacted my mom on her IG when I was 15 & said I looked like a great fit for a new tv show they were creating. With many months of skyping, meetings and contracts, we were living in New York in a brownstone with five other mother-daughter duos. I never thought I’d ever been on a reality show, but there I was with cameras in my face as Yolanda Hadid mentored me and shooting campaigns with Gigi Hadid & her TommyxGigi collection. I was in awe at where God had brought me & I worked so hard to show Yolanda & those around me who I was, a hard worker, a real girl trying to accomplish a dream. I learned a lot about how cutthroat the industry is and a lot about myself. It was the best & worst experience of my life to date. While filming, I had lost my grandmother & wasn’t able to say goodbye. I had an interview with Seventeen magazine & several go-sees the day of the funeral & I think that by far was so challenging to try to stay professional all while inside I was falling apart.
As the days leading up to the show airing, I was excited but after the first couple episodes aired I was in tears, the drama they showed wasn’t even real, the way things were edited blew me away. I was getting cyber bullied every day based on what people believed on tv & it was all a fluke. I realized reality tv wasn’t real at all, it was a dramatic depiction of false truth. Even though I had a rough start, I trusted God as each episode aired across the world & girls started relating to me & supporting me from all around the world. Then, I knew God had a bigger plan for me & to just ride the wave. I’ve gained tons of followers on my social media platforms and honestly having that following has allowed me to communicate with girls & guys from everywhere. I’m using those platforms to inspire & communicate in a greater way. I want others to believe in themselves & their dreams. I want them to trust God, knowing HE has a purpose for their lives and to never give up. All my experiences to date have taught me so much about myself & the world around me. It has helped drive me closer to understanding what I want to do with my life.
I’m currently represented by an amazing Manager that managed Jennifer Lawrence’s career a great talent agent in Los Angeles, & I also signed with an agent in Australia. I am auditioning on a regular basis, I’m working/collaborating with numerous brand on social media & I have several projects I’m working on I can’t disclose just yet but I’m definitely excited about my future.
I have a strong faith and my roots run deep here in the south. I’m proud of where I come from but my heart is currently leading me to the east & west coast where doors are opening for my career. I hope to continue to make my dreams a reality & those around me inspired to do the same.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This road hasn’t also been easy, there is always lots of sacrifices attached to dreams. I have been away from my family for long distance of time, I’ve had to give up certain sports, I love to focus on other things & I’ve lost friendships. My advice for anyone seeking out a career in the entertainment industry it can be brutal but stick with it if it’s your passion. Know there will be times you will need to sacrifice, but it will be worth it.
Never compare your journey with someone else’s because each one looks different. I believe climbing this entertainment mountain has taught me so much I don’t think I would have wanted to go immediately to the top because the climb in the middle has been so important to learn.
Please tell us about your work.
I’m a young girl still figuring out life but I know a ton about the modeling & acting industry. I’m most recently known for being on Lifetime Tv’s new series, Making A Model with Yolanda Hadid.
I’m proud of who I’ve become in the industry known for a great work ethic and a never give up attitude. I think what sets me apart is being real, what you see is what you get. I definitely don’t wear a mask and I work hard for what I want & I want to inspire others to be themselves, be original and believe in their dreams.
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
Absolutely, I know being in plays my mom was putting on as young as three & dancing, then as well helped me early on to come out of my shell and be myself. I had so much fun performing & that taught me a lot about my own abilities & to trust myself. I think this has rolled out the carpet for my future self. It sure helped me during the tv show to not back down to staying true to myself no matter what. I changed my hair color on the show & did so many things asked of me to show I was serious, but then I realized I’m going to stay true to who I was more than what others thought I should look like or be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC28jU1sxAdjsR4IROMGRdTQ?view_as=subscriber
- Email: lilyan.cole@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/?hl=en
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LilyanCole
Image Credit:
Katherine Cole
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
